It is a fact that scholars in Mithila
used Sanskrit for their literary work and Maithili was the language of the
common folk (Abahatta). The earliest work in Maithili appears to be Varn
Ratnakar by Jyotirishwar Thakur dated about 1224
AD.

Vidyapati is said to
have lived in the period 1350 to 1450. Vidyapati, though a Sanskrit scholar,
wrote innumerable poems (songs) relating to Bhakti and Shringar in Maithili.
Though equally accepted in Bengal and Mithila, his songs are the soul of
Mithila and no celebration is complete without his songs. It will not be an
exaggeration to say that his songs have survived in the throats of Maithil
women folk.

Maithili, though not included in VIIIth
schedule (Now included : 2004) of the Indian Constitution, was accepted by Sahitya Academy and since
its inclusion has won awards almost every year. The list
is given
elsewhere. A number of academy awards have been won for translation from
other languages.